Swim Ireland are running a Child protection course on the 29th of July 2015, the cost of the course is 20 Euro and is on between 18.30 and 21.30. If you have not done a course or if your course is out of date it would be worth attending. Contact Swim Ireland directly if you wish to attend. The course is held in Irish Sports HQ in Blanchardstown. See Swim Ireland website in the links section for more details.
The U14 (2001) and the U12 (2003) players traveled to Manchester this weekend to take part in the City Of Manchester Water Polo Festival 2015 for 2001 and 2003 born players on the 27th June. The U14 team came up against very tough opposition and worked very hard to get a win during the day, the standard was very good and a great experience for the players. With only two subs on the bench the team had to dig deep playing 6 matches in one day. The U12 team again had to work hard after loosing their first game to Bridgefield, then coming back to win their second game against St. Andrews which secured 2nd place in the group. Then winning against Lancaster to earn a place in the Semi Final. The team lost the semi final to Sedgefield eventually coming 4th overall. Finishing 4th was a great placement for this team after winning the Irish Cup this year. The teams gained valuable experience with a total of 11 matches played, a special mention to our goal keeper Jack Dolan who played for both teams over the day, Jack put in a fantastic performance as did all the players from both teams. Thanks to the City of Manchester Waterpolo Club who organised the festival with 30 teams from all over the UK and with Clontarf the only club from Ireland, a brilliant event organised by the Manchester Club, a great day for all the kids. We will be back next year.
Be sure to pick up the current issue of the Northside People (24th June) to see a write up about the U12 (2003) team winning the Irish Cup in May. See the Sports section page 24. A big thanks to the Northside people for the article.
On Saturday the 20th June, three Clontarf Senior Players took part in two Open Water Races in Lough Key (Boyle). The first race was over 750 meters with Dario Fernandez coming 3rd in a time of 10.34, followed by Mike McNieve who came in 20th in a time of 12.17. Later that day they took part in a 1500 meter open water race, Dario again was up at the front coming in 8th with a time of 19.52 followed by Martin Reddington who came 15th in a time of 22.44 and then Mike McNieve came in 24th with a time of 24.09. For swimming this event a total of 690 Euros was raised for the Irish Cancer Association. Thanks to all who donated to this worthy cause and well done to all our Swimmers. Another set of great results for our Open Water Swimmers. If you wish to take part in Opens Sea Races during the summer for more information visit leinsteropensea.ie for the Leinster Open Sea swimming schedule.
Swim Ireland and Leinster Waterpolo have organised a coaching clinic taking Place on the 10th to the 12 of July. If interested contact Swim Ireland directly. See information on Swim Ireland website at http://www.swimireland.ie/other-water-sports/water-polo/ . Note: This course does not award a coaching qualification it is designed as a Coaching Clinic.
Congratulations to Colm Walsh for winning the Templeogue Sea Swim at Sea point on the 21st June with Brain Nolan coming 4th, another great result for Clontarf. Yesterday on the 20th June at the Eastern Bay Sea Swim at Low Rock Malahide, Sean Nolan came in 7th, another fantastic result. Well done to all the swimmers over the weekend.
Congratulations to Brian Nolan who won the Guinness Swimming Club Killiney Beach Sea Swim last Saturday 13th June. Clontarf also went home with the team prize, in addition to Brian the team included Colm Walsh, Dario Fernandez, Eoin Devine, Martin Reddington and Ken Turner all finishing in the points. Next race is tomorrow 20th June, Mens Race starts at 1.15pm and the Womens Race starts at 2pm at Low Rock in Malahide. Anyone registered as a Clontarf Player or Swimmer can do the Open Sea Races, come along and try a swim. See links page to go to the Leinster Open Sea website (leinsteropensea.ie) for more information about taking part.
Training in Guinness Pool on Wednesday night has stopped for the Summer and will resume in early September 2015.
On Saturday the 4th of July 2015 we will hold our annual end of Season Family day out for all members, The day will start with a Junior Sea Swim followed by a Senior Race, we will meet at 2.30pm sharp at the Mens Shelter along the Bull Wall. After the swim all are welcome back to the Clontarf GAA Club for a barbecue and refreshments. The Juniors will have access to the Astro Pitch at this time. We will also present the U12 Plate League Medals to the Clontarf U12 Celtic Team in addition to the Sea Swim Medals on the day.